he man or woman who
surrenders to its spell will kill when put to the test. The law which
holds burglary constructive murder is founded on an elemental truth.
The man who puts on a mask, arms himself with revolver, knife, and dark
lantern and enters my house to rob me of my goods will not hesitate to
kill if a human life stands in the way of his success."

"I should not put it quite so strongly of these men----"

"I do. And I know I'm right. I saw murder in those black bead eyes of
Bivens's to-night. Do you think he would hesitate to close a factory to
increase a dividend if he knew that act would result in the death of
its employees from weakness and hunger? Not for a minute. He hesitates
only at a violation of the letter of the criminal code. What, then, is
the difference between a burglar and a modern organizer of industry?
Absolutely none."

Stuart laughed.

"Understand me, boy, I'm not preaching any patent remedy for social
ills. I'm not in a hurry. I can wait as God waits. But this question is
with me a personal one. I simply hold the biggest thing on earth is not
a pile of gold, stolen or honestly earned. The biggest thing on this
earth is a man. Our nation is not rich by reason of its houses and
lands, its gold or silver or copper or iron--but because of its men. I
believe in improving this breed of men, not trying to destroy them. For
that reason I refuse success that is not built on the success and
happiness of others. I refuse to share in prosperity that is not the
growth of prosperity."

"But if you sell your business to these men and retire, will you
necessarily share in their wrong-doing?"

"In a very real and tragic sense, yes. I'm a coward. I give up the
fight. I've been both a soldier and a merchant. Why does the world
honour a soldier and despise a merchant? Because a soldier's business
is to die for his country, and a merchant's habit is to lie for profit.
Isn't old Ruskin right? Why should not trade have its heroes as well as
war? Why shouldn't I be just as ready to die as a merchant for my
people as I was on the field of battle?"

The doctor paused, and his eyes grew dim while Stuart bent closer and
watched and listened as if in a spell. He realized that his old friend
was not really asking advice, but that a great soul in a moment of
utter loneliness was laid bare and crying for sympathy.

The doctor's voice took a tone of dreamy tenderness.

"I am just passing through this world once. I